U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

DANIEL C. ROPER, Secretary NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

LYMAN J. BRIGGS, Director

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS MISCELLANEOUS PUBLICATION No. 143 PRESERVATION OF

NEWSPAPER RECORDS

By

B. W. SCRIBNER

Issued July 19, 1934

UNITED STATES

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 1934

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, Washington; D.C. - - - - Fries 5 cestts

PRESERVATION OF NEWSPAPER RECORDS

By B. W. Scribner

ABSTRACT

An examination of newspapers published in the United States during the period

1830 to 1900 was made relative to preservation of this form of record. The

papers were composed entirely of rag fiber prior to 1868, and mixtures of this

fiber with other chemically treated fibers from straw were found in some papers

dated prior to 1880. Nearly all of these papers were in good condition. Most of the papers published after 1868 contained crude ground wood fiber and these had deteriorated considerably. Tests of special issues of newspapers printed since 1927 on high-grade paper for permanent library files indicate that some records

will be. preserved in this way. For retarding decay of newspapers, the use of japanese tissue paper or transparent cellulose acetate sheeting appears to be effective. Apparently very stable reproductions of newspaper records can be made by

photostatic and photolithographic printing on high-grade paper or by the use of photographic glass plates. The printing of the negative on glass plates in miniature, and reproduction of the prints on film slides, from which they can be

projected in enlarged form for reading, are suggested for consideration when

extensive reproductions are made.

CONTENTS

Page

I. Introduction 1 II. Examination of old newspapers 2

III. Protective measures 5 IV. Reproduction of newspapers 8 V. Newsprint for permanent editions 9 VI. Recommendations 10

I. INTRODUCTION

Newspapers are a most important class of historical records as they

present, when taken as a whole, the most authentic cross section of

contemporaneous life and events. These records are in the main

factual; they are not the result of opinions and deductions such as is often the case in historical writings. For this reason, the newspaper

files constitute one of the most important and active classes of refer- ence records preserved in libraries. Unfortunately, considered from the viewpoint of their perpetual

value, the immediate function of newspapers is to inform people of current events as quickly and inexpensively as possible, and this

requires cheap paper suited to rapid and low-cost printing. The

present type of newsprint, composed largely of crude ground wood

fibers, is ideally suited to this function but its preservation is difficult, as its initial strength is low and it becomes brittle through deterioration of the fibers. Newspapers were first printed on rag fiber paper

which was strong and durable, and there has been little difficulty in

preserving the papers printed prior to the use of crude wood fibers. As a result of the observed deterioration of newspapers, the New

York Times initiated in 1927 the issue of a part of its daily edition

67698—34 i
2 Miscellaneous Publications, National Bureau of Standards

printed on high-grade paper for the permanent files of libraries, and

several other newspaper publishers have adopted this practice.

Preceding these special editions, then, there was a long period during

which all newspapers were printed on paper which is subject to more or

less rapid decay. In view of the importance of obtaining information

which might assist in any project to perpetuate the newspaper records, a study of newspapers stored in libraries was made to definitely fix the

period of use of impermanent newsprint, and some attention was given

to preservative treatments for newspapers and the reproduction of

their contents. 1

II. EXAMINATION OF OLD NEWSPAPERS

Through the cooperation of the New York Public Library, the

Library of Congress, the Free Library of Oakland, Calif., and publishers of Pacific coast papers, specimens were secured from newspapers published in the United States during the period 1830 to 1900,

with short intervals between the publication dates. This period

covers the various transitions in the use of different kinds of fibers for newsprint. The specimens examined were from 18 eastern papers

and 9 west coast papers. Since there are seldom duplicate copies of

old newspapers in any one file, the specimens were necessarily limited

to small strips cut from the margins. They were examined for state of preservation by visual inspection of color and by creasing them

between the fingers for estimation of their relative strength and

flexibility. Actual measurement of these properties was not neces- sary as it was found that three different operators graded the papers

quite uniformly by this procedure. The papers fell naturally into five

grades. Those designated as grade 1 were in excellent condition,

showing little evidence of discoloration or brittleness, while those in

grade 5 were deep brown in color and so brittle that they usually

broke under one or two creasings. The other specimens were intermediate in these respects, in the relative order of the numbers. The degree of discoloration of the specimens closely paralleled the degree of

brittleness. Identification of the fibers was made by the usual microscopical method.

The results of the examination of the papers are given in tables 1, 2, and 3, in which the papers are grouped according to the kinds of

fibers in them. Some of the papers apparently contained some

esparto fibers but, as their differentiation from straw fibers could not

in most cases be made positively, all such fibers were included under

the general designation of " straw."

i This is one of a series of investigations concerning the preservation of written and printed records made

at the National Bureau of Standards with the assistance of a fund granted for the purpose by the Carnegie

Corporation to the National Research Council.
Scribner] Preservation of Newspaper Records

Table 1.

Condition of newspapers composed entirely of chemically purified rag fiber EASTERN PAPERS

Title Date Grade New York Journal of Commerce... Albany Argus

Cincinnati Daily Gazette New York Journal of Commerce... Albany Argus New York Herald

Cincinnati Daily Gazette... Albany Argus New York Herald New York Journal of Commerce. .. Cincinnati Daily Gazette Do New York Journal of Commerce. .. New York Hearld Albany Argus New York Herald New York Journal of Commerce...

Cincinnati Daily Gazette. AlbanyJournal Albany Argus New York Commercial Advertiser. New York Herald New York Evening Post

Cincinnati Daily Gazette New York Journal of Commerce... New York Commercial Advertizer. New York Evening Post. New York Herald New York Journal of Commerce...

Cincinnati Daily Gazette New York Staats Zeitung.

May 19,1830 June 30,1830 Oct. 2, 1830 Oct. 1, 1834 June 30,1835 May 1, 1838 Sept. 6,1838 July 30,1839 Feb. 4, 1840 June 27,1840

Sept. 2,1840 June 21,1845 June 24,1845 Sept. 1,1845 Sept. 5,1845 June 22,1850 June 28,1850

Sept. 2,1850

Sept. 3,1850 Feb. 21,1855 June 22,1855 June 24,1855 June 30,1855

Sept. 1,1855 Sept. 4,1855

Sept. 2,1859 June 29,1860 June 30,1860

Sept. 4,1860 do

Jan. 9, 1866 PACIFIC COAST PAPERS

San Francisco Chronicle. Portland Oregonian DoDo

Do

Average.

July 17, 1854 1 Sept. —, 1859 1 Jan. —, 1863 2 Aug. —, 1872 1 Jan. —, 1876 11.2 Table 2.- Condition of newspapers composed of various chemically purified fibers EASTERN PAPERS

Title Date

Percentages of each kind of fiber Grade Rag Chemical wood

Straw

New York World Jan. 19,1868 Jan. 27,1869

Sept. 7,1870 Jan. 26,1870 Aug. 20,1871 Mar. 19,1872 Dec. 28,1872 May 21,1872 Jan. 31,1872 Mar. 27, 1873 Aug. 23,1873 Aug. 15,1873 Feb. 14,1874 Apr. 29,1876 Aug. 30,1880

85 15 100

50

258570

10 10080

90

75

15

2

Brooklyn Daily Eagle New York Evening Express... _._ 50

75

15

1590

New York Staats Zeitung . New York Times Albany Argus 15 New York Herald New York Sun

..

.. .. New York Weekly Times.. ._ . . . 20

10

25

8590

50

10

New York Journal of Commerce New York Times New York Evening Post. ... .. Chicago Verbote 1030

90 Do 20 Cincinnati Daily Gazette PACIFIC COAST PAPERS

Portland Oregonian Jan. —1868

Oct. 31,1872

35 65 100

2 San Diego Sun 1 Average 1.8

1
Miscellaneous Publications, National Bureau oj Standards

Table 3.

Condition of newspapers containing ground wood fiber EASTERN PAPERS

Title Date

Percentages of each kinds of fibers

Rag

Chemical wood

Straw Ground wood

Providence Journal New York World

Brooklyn Daily Eagle. New York Evening Express. New York Tribune New York Evening Express

.

New York Herald

Providence Journal New York Evening Post New York Times New York Tribune

Cincinnati Daily Gazatte Do New York Evening Post New York Journal of Commerce

.

Albany Argus New York Evening Post... New York Herald New York Journal of Commerce. New York Evening Post New York Herald. New York Journal of Commerce. New York Evening Post New York Journal of Commerce. New York Herald

Apr. 6, 1869 June 22,1870 July 22,1871 Sept. 6,1872 Dec. 9, 1872 Sept. 11, 1874 Dec. 31,1874 Apr. 5, 1875 Aug. 17,1875 Aug. 20,1875 Dec. 7, 1876 Dec. 7, 1878 Sept. 1,1880

Sept. 4,1880

Sept. 2,1880 June 28,1885 June 27,1885 do Aug. 24,1885 Aug. 26,1890 June 29,1890 June 19,1890 Aug. 24,1895 June 28,1895 Oct. 3, 1895

20

10

10

PACIFIC COAST PAPERS

San Francisco Chronicle. Oakland Tribune

Seattle Post Intelligencer. San Francisco Call.. San Francisco Chronicle. Oakland Tribune... San Francisco CallPortland Oregonian.

Seattle Post Intelligencer. San Francisco Chronicle.. Portland Oregonian Oakland Tribune San Francisco Call San Francisco Chronicle. Oakland Tribune

Portland Oregonian San Diego Sun

Oakland Enquirer

Seattle Post Intelligencer- San Francisco Chronicle.. Portland Oregonian Oakland Tribune San Francisco Chronicle. Los Angeles Express Portland Oregonian Los Angeles Times

Oakland Tribune

AverageJune 16,1874 Aug. 23,1875 Nov. 13, 1876 Jan. 4, 1875 June 29,1879 Jan. 23,1880 Jan. 4, 1880 Feb. —1881

Nov. 13, 1883 July 22,1884 Apr. —1885

June 8, 1885 Jan. 14,1885 Apr. 29,1889 Jan. 23,1890 Aug. —, 1890 Apr. 2, 1891 July —,1892

Aug. 16,1893 July 15,1894 Nov. —, 1895 Jan. 23,1895 July 3, 1898 Jan. 7, 1898 Aug. — 1900 Feb. 18,1900 Mar. 23, 1900

40
Scribner] Preservation of Newspaper Records 5

There is historical evidence that esparto fibers were used to a small

extent in newsprint.

The earliest departure from all-rag papers shown by these data

occurred in 1868 when some straw was contained in one of the papers;

the first ground wood indicated by the data appeared in 1869; and

the first chemical wood in 1872. Some of the papers dated from

1868 to 1880 are composed of straw and various mixtures of straw,

rag, and chemical wood fibers. The latest paper containing straw is dated 1885. From that date, most of the papers are composed of various mixtures of chemical wood and ground wood fibers, although

rag fibers were found as late as 1895. About this time, the present

mixture of about 25 percent unbleached chemical wood fiber and 75-

percent ground wood apparently became quite well established.

Similar usage of fibers for book papers has been found except that

the paper of the books published after 1904 was composed entirely

of chemical wood fibers. 2 The data show that practically all of the papers containing the

crude ground-wood fibers, even those of the later dates, are badly

deteriorated or well on the way to that condition, that all of the

papers composed entirely of rag fibers are in excellent condition;

and that most of the papers composed of straw and the various

mixtures of chemically treated straw, rag, and wood fibers are in

good condition. The records contained in most newspapers published since about 1868, when ground wood came into use for newsprint, will undoubtedly be lost through decay of the paper, unless measures are taken to preserve them. The very few exceptions are records printed on permanent papers of the limited library issues

mentioned, dating from 1927.

A similar classification of old newspapers stored in the New York

Public Library was made by John Archer and William R. Thurman

of that institution, but their classification of papers was inferred

from observation of the condition of the paper.

3 These tables are of interest from a historical viewpoint because

progress in papermaking has been intimately related to progress in

civilization. They reflect the various steps in the most important

epoch of paper; that which led to the inexpensive printing papers

which, together with improvement in printing processes, made all classes of literature readily available to everyone. Just prior to this

development, many newspapers were reduced in size or discontinued,

and the publication of books decreased, because of the high cost of paper.4 In 1865 a pound of newsprint paper cost 20 cents and the

least expensive white book paper, 25 cents. In 1895, with final development of the present types of wood-fiber papers, the cost had

dropped to 2.5 cents per pound for newsprint and 4.5 cents for

book paper.

III. PROTECTIVE MEASURES

The preservation of newsprint is difficult because it lacks sufficient

strength to withstand much handling, and, on account of the large

size of newspaper sheets, they are subjected to greater strains while

being handled than most other forms of records. Owing to the large

a Kimberly, A. E., and Emley, A. L., A Study of the Deterioration of Book Papers in Libraries, B.S. Misc. Pub. No. 140, 1933.

3 When Did Newspapers Begin to Use Wood Pulp Stock? Bulletin of the New York Public Library,

vol. 33, no. 10, p. 743, 1929.

* Weeks, L. H., History of Paper Making in the United States, 1916.
6 Miscellaneous Publications, National Bureau of Standards

content of crude fiber, newsprint, if unprotected, rapidly discolors

and becomes brittle, through chemical reactions which are greatly

accelerated by light.

Newspapers to be retained in permanent files are commonly

bound before use of them is permitted. A good practice in binding

is to interleave the newspaper sheets with strong paper which projects beyond the edges of the newspaper sheets so that they can be

turned without being touched. The use of diffused illumination

throughout libraries is a desirable precaution for minimizing the

effect of light on paper, and the paper should be guarded against

acidic air and adverse humidity and temperature.5 There has been considerable investigation of the use of protective

coatings and impregnations to increase the strength of newspapers

and to retard the chemical reactions which cause their decay.6 7 8 The chief requirement of the added material is, in addition to increasing the resistance of the paper to wear, to make it as impervious as possible to air without making it too heavy or bulky or obscuring

the printing too much. Impregnations with gums, starches, varnishes, cellulose esters, and other materials have been tried by

various investigators but without entirely satisfactory results. Likewise the use of transparent cellulose sheetings, silk, chiffon,

and tissue paper for protective coatings has been investigated.

After extensive study of such materials, the New York Public

Library decided that high-grade Japanese tissue paper was the most

suitable.9 Following are the details of the practice employed at that

library for this material.

The tissue paper is pasted to both sides of each newspaper sheet

with a mixture of pure rice starch and tapioca dextrin. A specially

devised table is used for the pasting operation. This has a glass top

and a sliding carrier which smooths out the tissue after it has been

applied to the newspaper sheet. The paste is spread on the glass, a sheet of tissue is laid on the paste, and paste is brushed on the

upper side of the tissue. The newspaper sheet is laid on the tissue

and covered with another sheet of tissue, each being brushed with

paste as soon as they are laid down. A rod is inserted between the

overlapping tissue sheets and the combination is hung in a dryer

where it remains for 24 hours. The combined sheets are next

pressed between boards for 24 hours, trimmed, and run through a gas-heated mangle having steel rollers, to smooth the sheets. They

are finally reassembled, sewed, and bound.

Tests made at the Bureau of papers covered in this manner by

the New York Public Library, as compared with tests of some of the same papers not covered, showed that the strength of the paper was increased three to four times by the treatment, and that its retention of strength and color, when exposed to accelerated aging by

light and heat, was very much better than that of the uncovered paper.

It was concluded that the use of japanese tissue should greatly prolong the life of newspapers. Test data for the tissue used by the

New York Public Library are given in table 4.

5 See footnote 2, on p. 5.

6 Hill, F. P., The Deterioration of Newspaper Paper, Library Jour., vol. 35, p. 299, 1910.

7 Lydenberg, H. M., Preservation of Modern Newspaper Files, Library Jour., vol. 40, p. 240, 1915.

8 American Library Association Committee, Preservation of Newspapers, Am. Lib. Assn. Bulletin,

vol. 6, p. 116, 1912.

» See footnote 7 above.
Scribner]Table 4 —

Preservation of Newspaper Records

Tests of Japanese tissue paper used for covering newspapers

7

Original Heat

treated 3

Weight (500 sheets, 25 by 40 inches) Thickness Alpha cellulose Copper number

Acidity as sulphuric anhydride

Ash....

.pounds.

.

inch..

.percent. .

6. 83 .0017

89. 15 1.41 .16 .57

88. 37 do.— 1. 54 .do—

.

do—

1 All tests reported herein, with the exception of the heat test, were made by the standard methods of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry.

2 Heated 72 hours at 100 C. The high proportion of alpha cellulose and low copper number, and

the slight change in them on heating, which the Bureau uses as a test for stability, together with the low acidity, are all indications of a very stable paper. Some disadvantages of the use of the tissue are

that it obscures the printing somewhat, doubles the weight of the

sheet, and trebles the bulk. The New York Public Library has a cooperative joint cost arrangement with several newspaper publishers

whereby it coats the papers with japanese tissue and stores them in its

files. The high degree of transparency, tensile strength, imperviousness,

and smoothness of transparent cellulose sheetings have directed

attention to their possiblities for use as protective coverings. Both

viscose and cellulose acetate sheetings, and newspapers covered with

them were tested for stability by subjecting them to light and heat.

The viscose sheeting, which was a nonwaterproof product, was found

to be unstable; both the sheeting and the combination of sheeting

and newspapers became brittle and discolored rapidly under the influ- ence of both heat and light. On the contrary, both the cellulose acetate sheeting and newspapers covered with it were very resistant

to heat and light. It is possible, of course, that other viscose

products would prove to be more stable. The viscose sheeting tended to wrinkle but this was avoided by

saturating it with water before pasting. The following combination was made up: Blotter, water-saturated viscose sheeting, newspaper

sheet having a thin coating of starch paste on each side, water-satu- rated viscose sheeting, blotter. The combination was placed between

polished metal plates, pressed at 750 pounds, and dried between

heated rolls after removing the blotters. The acetate type of sheeting

had the added advantages of being available in sheets only 0.001 inch

thick, and of being thermoplastic. The best results in applying it were obtained by the following procedure: The sheet of newspaper was placed between 2 slightly larger sheets of the cellulose sheeting,

blotters were placed on each side, followed by polished steel plates,

and the combination was then pressed in a hot press at 265 F. and 750

pounds for 3 minutes. A strong, firmly bound composite, with sealed

edges, is obtained in this way. The use of only sufficient heat and

pressure to secure good adhesion of the sheets is advisable. The

thickness of the combined sheets was only 0.0005 inch greater than

that of the newspaper sheets because of the compression of the combination, but the weight was increased 2.5 times.

Impregnation of newspapers with cellulose acetate solutions of

different consistencies was tried, but this treatment was considered
8 Miscellaneous Publications, National Bureau of Standards

unsatisfactory as it did not add the desired strength to the treated

papers. Cellulose nitrate sheetings, which include celluloid, are

relatively unstable and may have a deteriorative effect on paper kept

in contact with them.

There is need of further research on this problem of preventing or

at least retarding the deterioration of impermanent record papers, to obtain improved results with respect to both the efficiency and cost

of coating and impregnating materials. IV. REPRODUCTION OF NEWSPAPERS

Of the photographic processes available for the reproduction of

records, photostatic, photolithographic, and filmslide printing appear

to be the most feasible means for reproducing newspapers.

Where a limited amount of copying is to be done either photostatic

or photolithographic printing is satisfactory. The relative cost of

the 2 methods depends on the number of copies desired. According

to information received from Dr. Robert C. Binkley, who is making

an extensive survey for the joint committee on materials for research

of the Social Science Council and the American Council of Learned

Societies, of methods for reproducing records, the dividing line of cost for photostatic printing and photolithography, in an establishment which has facilities for both of them, is between 15 and 20

copies.

Stable book papers suitable for offset printing are available. The

Bureau has published a suggested classification and specification of

book papers for the various classes of records. 10 At the request of the Library of Congress, extensive tests were made of both foreign

and domestic photostat papers, relative to permanent reproduction

by the Library of records of early American history stored abroad.

The test data have the same characteristics as those secured for book

and writing papers. Very high-grade papers which appear to be

suitable for permanent records are available but many of the papers

described as suitable for this use were found to be of unsatisfactory

quality. Data for one of the best papers, after it had been printed

by the usual photostatic process, are shown in table 5. Table 5.

Test data for printed photostat paper used for permanent records

Weight (25 by 40 inches, 500 sheets) pounds .. Bursting strength do

Folding PnfiiirftnoJmachine direction double folds.

folding enaurancej

cross machine direction do.... Ash... percent.. Resin do Alpha cellulose do Copper number do

Acidity as sulphuric anhydride do When this paper was heated for 72 hours at 100 C, it lost practically none of its high folding endurance. Its high strength and stability

fit it particularly well for permanent records that are handled considerably. Many of the papers tested had stability and other qualities equal to this one, but less strength, and are no doubt suitable for

records which are not handled much. Folding endurance as low as

10 Burton, J. O., Permanence Studies of Current Commercial Book Papers, B.S. Jour. Research, vol. 7, p. 429, 1931.
Scribner] Preservation of Newspaper Records 9

six double folds was found. Photostatic prints on permanent paper

do not fade if they are fixed and washed by the best practice. The

completed print consists of an image of metallic silver embedded in a thin layer of high-grade gelatin, and these materials are stable in themselves when properly prepared.

For large-scale reproduction of newspapers, the use of film slides

is much less expensive than the other methods and has the important

advantage of conservation of storage space. A standard newsprint

sheet may be contained on a film slide of 1 inch by 1.25 inch and the

record projected, by special apparatus devised for the purpose, in

enlarged form for reading. Unfortunately, the permanence of the

present types of films, either the more commonly used cellulose nitrate film or the cellulose acetate film (" safety film") is doubtful,

although experience with them has indicated that they will retain their

serviceability for many years if they are stored under carefully controlled humidity and temperature conditions, and used with precautions relative to the conditions under which they have been stored. 11 While the prints can be reproduced, it is not known whether clear

reprints can be obtained indefinitely. Photographic glass plates

containing the miniature print warrant consideration for permanent

reference copies. To minimize wear and breakage they need be used

only for reproducing the prints on film slides. V. NEWSPRINT FOR PERMANENT EDITIONS

The special editions of newspapers printed on high-grade paper

for the permanent files of libraries have been mentioned. The development of special paper for this purpose was necessary since no paper was available which possessed the required stability and strength,

combined with the texture, softness, and opacity essential for satis- factory printing by the regular newspaper process. After considerable experimentation by papermakers and newspaper publishers, in

which the Bureau cooperated through tests of experimental papers

and advice respecting further improvement of them, suitable papers were developed. Table 6 gives test data for one paper in use which

is considered satisfactory in all respects:

Table 6.

Test data for newsprint used for permanent editions of newspapers

Fiber, rag percent Weight (25 by 40 inches, 500 sheets) --.pounds

Thickness inch. Bursting strength points Folding endurancp(machine direction.... double folds

jj oiaing enaurance|

cross.machine direction do Ash percent Resin do.. Acidity. do... Copper number

Alpha cellulose- percent Opacity do..

Heated at 100 C for 72 hours

330

55

.05

1. 18 93.0 The high alpha cellulose and low copper number of this paper

denote excellent fiber quality, and the low content of resin and acid

11 Crabtree and Ives, Soc. Motion Picture Eng., vol. 15, no. 3, p. 289, 1930.
10 Miscellaneous Publications, National Bureau oj Standards

are other desirable properties. The slight changes in the paper under

the severe heat test indicate a very stable paper.

VI. RECOMMENDATIONS

The following are indicated as important considerations with

respect to the perpetual preservation of the newspaper records:

1 . The issues printed on permanent paper should be available for a great many years, but may ultimately be lost due to failure of the

paper with repeated handling. Such losses can be minimized by

protective coatings.

2. The durability of impermanent newsprint can be greatly increased by protective coatings, but it is doubtful whether any known

treatment will prevent its ultimate decay.

3. In the light of our present knowledge about the permanence of

materials on which to copy important records, and pending the

development of less expensive or more satisfactory materials and

methods, an effort should be made to copy the most valuable of the

older newspaper records on permanent paper by photostatic printing

or photolithography.

4. The conservation of storage space in the central public libraries

and others which deal with all classes of publications is a vital problem

because of the ever-increasing flood of publications. The newspapers

require an excessive amount of storage space.

5. Reproduction in miniature appears to be the ideal means of

preserving newspaper records.

6. The technic for making miniature prints of newspaper records on transparent slides and projecting them in enlarged form for reading

appears to have reached satisfactory development.

7. Information from a number of sources indicates that the life of

the types of flexible film thus far used in copying records in miniature

is probably less than a generation. It is important that further

information be developed about materials suitable for copying in

miniature, especially with reference to their permanence and the

optimum storage conditions.

In view of the foregoing, it is recommended that a coordinated

effort be instituted at once by library and scientific organizations to

find the most practicable means for the perpetual preservation of the

newspaper records; that the perfection of materials and methods for

reproduction in miniature be given primary consideration; and that

consideration be given to the establishment of a central agency for

supplying reproductions of newspapers and other records to libraries. The assistance of J. F. G. Hicks and A. E. Kimberly in this study is gratefully acknowledged.

Washington, May 11, 1934.

O